Tai Chi's effects on fatty liver disease in older adults

The Effects of Tai Chi on Metabolic Dysfunction-associated Fatty Liver Disease in Middle-Aged and Older Adults

This study is testing if practicing Tai Chi can help older adults with fatty liver disease improve their liver health and overall metabolism compared to regular exercise or no exercise at all.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 250 (estimated)
• Ages: 40 Years to 75 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Fujian Provincial Hospital (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Fuzhou, Fujian)
• Trial ID: NCT06717828 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study evaluates the impact of a structured Tai Chi intervention on middle-aged and older adults diagnosed with metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: Tai Chi, conventional exercise, or a control group. The study aims to enroll 250 individuals, focusing on the potential therapeutic benefits of Tai Chi in reducing liver fat content and improving metabolic health. The research addresses a significant public health concern, particularly in China, where MAFLD prevalence is rising.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are middle-aged and older adults aged 40 to 75 with a diagnosis of MAFLD and a liver fat content of 5% or more.

Not a fit: Patients with fatty liver due to causes other than metabolic dysfunction, severe cardiovascular diseases, or poorly controlled blood pressure may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide a non-invasive exercise intervention to improve liver health and metabolic function in affected individuals.

How similar studies have performed: While Tai Chi has shown promise in other health-related studies, this specific approach to MAFLD is relatively novel and has limited prior research backing.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age between 40 and 75 years;
2. Liver fat content measured by mDixon QUANT is ≥5%;
3. Diagnosis of metabolic associated fatty liver disease;
4. Overweight/obesity (BMI ≥ 24 kg/m²);
5. Signed written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Excessive alcohol consumption (definition: in the past 6 months, males have consumed more than 140g of alcohol per week, and females have consumed more than 70g);
2. Fatty liver due to other causes: such as alcoholic fatty liver, acute and chronic viral hepatitis, drug-induced hepatitis, autoimmune hepatitis, etc.;
3. Severe cardiovascular diseases, including myocardial infarction within the past 6 months;
4. Heart failure (NYHA classification: III - IV);
5. Biliary diseases: such as obstructive biliary diseases;
6. Other diseases affecting glucose and lipid metabolism: diabetes, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, Cushing's syndrome, etc.;
7. Poorly controlled blood pressure: SBP ≥ 180 mmHg, DBP ≥ 100 mmHg;
8. Chronic kidney disease or severe renal impairment, defined as serum creatinine of 135 µmol/L (1.5 mg/dL) for males and 110 µmol/L (1.3 mg/dL) for females;
9. Patients unable to communicate normally, such as those with dementia or cognitive impairment;
10. Currently pregnant or planning to become pregnant in the near future;
11. Other conditions preventing participation in follow-up interventions;
12. Other clinical diseases that make participation in exercise unsuitable, such as inability to cooperate with exercise therapy due to severe pain or joint deformities, or the use of medications that may interfere with the assessment of exercise effects (such as corticosteroids, liver protection drugs, etc.), or medications that affect heart rate (such as beta-blockers).

Where this trial is running

Fuzhou, Fujian

• Fujian Provincial Hospital — Fuzhou, Fujian, China (Recruiting)

Conditions Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease; MAFLD; Tai Chi; Intrahepatic Fat Content